Why was the Ark of the Covenant so sacred — what made it special?
The Devotional Answer
The Ark of the Covenant was so sacred because it was the physical representation of the invisible presence of God dwelling with His people. Devotionally, it teaches us that God desires to be near you, but because He is perfectly holy (Question 43), His presence is terrifying to those who are sinful.
The key component of the Ark was its lid, called the Mercy Seat. This was the place where the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The Ark's holiness was therefore tied to the concept of atonement: God's justice (represented by the Law inside the Ark) could only be satisfied by sacrifice (the blood on the Ark) so that His presence (dwelling above the Ark) could remain. This entire concept perfectly foreshadows Jesus Christ, who became our ultimate Mercy Seat.
The Simple Answer
The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in ancient Israel because it functioned as God's earthly throne and the sole location for atonement (forgiveness).
Its sacredness came from three factors:
God's Literal Presence: God promised to dwell and communicate with Moses and the priests from above the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:22).
The Testimony of the Covenant: It contained the very items that sealed God's covenant with Israel.
The Atoning Center: It was the only spot in the world where the High Priest could annually bring the blood of sacrifice to satisfy the Law and earn temporary forgiveness for the nation.
Touching it improperly or treating it lightly resulted in immediate death because its holiness was absolute (2 Samuel 6:6-7).
The Deeper Dive
The power and sacred nature of the Ark came from its contents and its role in the Tabernacle.
1. The Location: The Holy of Holies
The Ark was housed in the Holy of Holies, the innermost room of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This area was so sacred that only one person, the High Priest, was allowed to enter, and only one day a year (Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement). The massive curtain separating this room from the rest of the world visually communicated the intense, terrifying holiness of God.
2. The Contents: The Three Witnesses
Inside the gold-covered chest were three powerful objects:
The Two Stone Tablets: Containing the Ten Commandments—the Law of God that humanity constantly broke.
A Jar of Manna: A reminder of God's faithfulness to provide for them in the wilderness.
Aaron’s Staff that Budded: A reminder of God's chosen authority and judgment against rebellion.
These contents all bore witness against Israel's sin and rebellion, underscoring their need for forgiveness.
3. The Mercy Seat and the Propitiation
The lid of the Ark, the Mercy Seat, was the point of reconciliation. The blood sprinkled there covered the tablets of the Law below it. This action is the OT picture of propitiation—the satisfaction of God’s righteous wrath against sin. The New Testament confirms that Jesus Christ is our final and perfect propitiation:
"God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith." — Romans 3:25 (NIV)
Jesus is our final Mercy Seat who fully satisfies the Law and covers our sin.
God's Assurance
God assures you that because of Jesus, you have direct, immediate, and permanent access to His presence—a privilege that required the High Priest’s life to enter once a year in the OT.
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings..." — Hebrews 10:19, 22 (NIV)
You are assured that the barrier that separated the holy God from sinful humanity—the massive curtain—was torn in two when Jesus died (Matthew 27:51), granting you free access to God's presence.
Your Takeaway Thought
The sacredness of the Ark highlights the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of God’s holiness. As a New Testament believer, you no longer need a physical Ark to connect with God. Let the story of the Ark deepen your gratitude that through Jesus Christ, you carry the very presence of the Holy Spirit (Question 66) within you.
